Habitat for Humanity announces new leaders

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AVON - Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope, and the organization most recently brought together some powerful leaders within the valley's community.

Serving as Habitat's new president is Clyde Hanks. Hanks has been the general manager for the Beaver Creek Metro District since 2005. He holds two master's degrees, including an MBA from the Wharton School and physiology and electrical engineering degrees from Cornell University. Hanks has served on the Habitat Board of Directors since 2004.

The most recent president, Rick Mueller, will maintain a leadership role on the Executive Committee by taking on the position of secretary. Habitat achieved much success during Mueller's leadership.

The organization successfully launched the World of Hope Capacity Building Campaign, having raised $3.2 million toward the $6 million goal. During Mueller's two years as president, Habitat grew from building four homes per year to six, effectively increasing the number of families served in our valley.

Habitat has developed a strong strategic plan to reach 10 homes per year by 2019.

"I am honored to follow Rick's leadership," Hanks said. "Habitat is poised for growth. We look forward to finishing off the Capacity Building Campaign this Labor Day, allowing us to serve a greater number of deserving families in this valley far into the future."

Also joining the leadership is Bud Wonsiewicz as vice president and Bret Hooper as treasurer. Wonsiewicz is a former senior technical executive in the telecommunications industry, primarily at Bell Labs. He also served as a faculty member at MIT and a board member of several tech and charitable organizations over the years.

In 2007, Wonsiewicz co-authored the book "Discovering Awareness." Wonsiewicz has been involved in the local Habitat affiliate since the late 1990s. He served a full term on the Board of Directors, was actively involved in several committees and contributed greatly to the group's Strategic Plan over the years. Wonsiewicz rejoins the Board of Directors, serving as vice president.

Bret Hooper is the community bank president of ANB Bank in Avon. After earning his B.S. in business administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Hooper began his career in corporate finance, working for a regional investment bank in Virginia.

He returned to his home state of Colorado in 1993 and has been a banker in Eagle County ever since. Hooper has played an active role on Habitat's Finance Committee since 2007 and now joins the Board of Directors as treasurer.

"We are honored to have such powerful community leaders at the helm of our organization. We have achieved such great success and are poised to continue the momentum that has been created," said John Welaj, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Eagle and Lake Counties.

Stacey Truitt maintains her position on the Executive Committee, serving as vice president.

Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Habitat builds simple, affordable homes in partnership with local families in need.

Founded in 1995, Habitat for Humanity of Eagle and Lake Counties has served 36 families to date, housing more than 110 children. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitatvailvalley.org